RU: Orrell 32 Manchester 25

MANCHESTER, fighting for survival at the foot of National League One, were cruelly robbed of what would have been a deserved derby victory at Edge Hall Road on Sunday, as Orrell got out of jail and grabbed their 14th league win six minutes into stoppage time.

MANCHESTER, fighting for survival at the foot of National League One, were cruelly robbed of what would have been a deserved derby victory at Edge Hall Road on Sunday, as Orrell got out of jail and grabbed their 14th league win six minutes into stoppage time.

With the score level into added time, full back Simon Verbickas, the former Orrell goal kicking winger, failed narrowly with a penalty kick from halfway which would have earned the Grove Park outfit a 28-25 triumph.

Orrell countered with a right wing raid which ended in ex Wigan Warrior Wes Davies, grandson of the legendary Billy Boston, striking for his second try. Stand-off Phil Jones kicked the conversion to rub salt into Manchester's wounds.

Orrell were playing their third game in eight days. Six days before their Powergen Shield semi-final away to Rotherham, Australian head coach Ross Reynolds made eight changes, bringing in a cluster of second teamers. The result was woeful.

Spirited Manchester, with half backs Ricky Pellow and Pete Murphy making a big impression and Verbickas' prodigious touch kicking repeatedly turning Orrell backwards, were up for it and deservedly the better side in the first half.

Manchester opened up a 12-point lead in 15 minutes, through surprise tries by prop James Carew and right wing Nick Royle and a Verbickas conversion.

Wes Davies sprinted over for his first try in the 29th minute and after Phil Jones had failed with a long range chance, Verbickas put over an excellent penalty, as Manchester lock John Griffiths left the field injured. Phil Jones replied with a penalty before the break, but Manchester thoroughly deserved their 15-8 lead.

It took Orrell until the 47th minute to draw level, when winger Simon Haughton, another former Wigan Warrior, scored a try converted by Jones, Verbickas then missing a penalty which would have put Manchester in front.

Another horrific Orrell mistake resulted in Manchester flanker David Wilks notching their third try. With disorganised Orrell growing more desperate in the closing 10 minutes, another equalising penalty by Verbickas on 75 minutes levelled the scores a third time at 25-25.